Morality

Feeling that the world is a moral place where you can act in line with your values, rather than feeling that the world is immoral or your actions conflict with your values.

Morality is about living in alignment with your values and seeing those principles reflected in the world around you. It's the peace of mind that comes from knowing you're doing what you believe is right, and the satisfaction of witnessing fairness and integrity in action.

This need shows up when you keep a promise even though it's inconvenient, when you see someone return a lost wallet to its owner, or when you choose to buy from companies whose practices align with your beliefs. It's standing up for a colleague who's being treated unfairly, teaching your children to be honest, or simply feeling good about how you handled a difficult situation.

Morality also involves expecting certain standards from others and society. You feel frustrated when you witness corruption, dishonesty, or unfairness because these violate your sense of how the world should work. Conversely, you feel uplifted when you see acts of kindness, justice, or integrity.

When this need is unmet, you might feel cynical, compromised, or like you're betraying your own principles. When it's fulfilled, you experience inner peace and the confidence that comes from living authentically according to your deepest convictions about right and wrong.

Sub-needs

Being able to act in line with your values

Fulfilling your responsibilities

Being treated by others according to your norms and values

Living in a society that aligns with your norms and values

Needs on a Desert Island

Imagine you're shipwrecked on a desert island with a group of survivors. You're responsible for fulfilling everyone's fundamental needs to create a thriving community.

One of the islanders cannot adjust to life on the island and becomes depressed. Unable to work, he depends on the efforts of others to fulfill his needs. Some group members argue that because he doesn’t contribute, he isn’t entitled to receive an equal share of the limited supplies. Other people strongly oppose this position and argue that he deserves just as much food, and additional care, because of his condition. Although people differ in their moral judgments—what constitutes a fair distribution of resources, for example—they universally want to see their morality reflected in their environment.

Fundamental Needs in Overview

What does morality look like in the House of Needs? Click the image to find out!

Is it possible to design a chair that specifically fulfills the need for morality? Click the image to find out!